Google Maps App Returns To IOS

12/13/2012 11:27 AM ET

The Google Maps App has once again been approved by Apple and is now available for download through the iTunes store. Earlier this year Apple discontinued availability of the app in attempt to launch their own Maps app.

The release comes after months of bad press for Apple, whose own Maps app was riddled with errors and technical issues. The firms CEO Tim Cook issued a formal apology to customers and two key figures in the app's development were fired.

"We are extremely sorry for the frustration (the map) has caused our customers and we are doing everything we can to make Maps better," he wrote in the apology. "We launched Maps initially with the first version of iOS. As time progressed, we wanted to provide our customers with even better Maps including features such as turn-by-turn directions, voice integration, Flyover and vector-based maps. In order to do this, we had to create a new version of Maps from the ground up."

Daniel Graf, Director of Google Maps for Mobile, broke the news in a blog post for the company saying:

"People around the world have been asking for Google Maps on iPhone. It's designed from the ground up."